Mailbox



R. MALLOY MAILBOX Aug. 31, 1948.

Filed Feb. 13, 1946 0 L w% /M RL 0 K m a m LMNMW M ,l s .10.. m m% H m Yfi l. u 6 V? Patented Aug. 31, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAILBOXRichard Malloy, Columbus, Ind.

Application February 13, 1946, Serial No. 647,242

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a mail box.

The chief object of this invention is to provide in a mail box animproved arrangement of parts so that when access to the box interior isdesired for contents removal, the same are readily accessible and areheld in retained relation until removed even though the box be openedfor removal, thus preventing dropping of the contents upon opening ofthe box.

Another chief feature resides in the simplicity of construction and thelow cost of same.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fullyhereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a mail box embodying theinvention and in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same in opened position.

in Fig. 2 of the drawings indicates a porch post, wall of a dwelling,etc., to which the box back H is suitably secured by screws I2. Aninverted T-shaped strip has its head portion I4 anchored by the upperpair of screws [2 and its stem portion I3 is directed upwardly as shownand above the box and includes a plurality of reversely curved portionsforming a magazine and like retainer.

While the cover flap l5 may be hinged to the top of the back or base itis herein preferred to have same hinged to upper cross member l6connected to the upper rear edges ll of sides H3. The

front I9 is integral with sides l8 and preferably I is formed from onesheet with forward rolled or curved front corners as illustrated,although square or sharp corners are not precluded.

The upper and lower edges 2| and 22 of the sides preferably are inclineddownwardly and forwardly and may be parallel if desired. The cover I5 isof such area that the same fully overlies the aforesaid channelstructure. Preferably the entrance mouth to the box is formed by theupper edges 2| of the sides 18 and the upper edge 23 of the box front.

When the cover is carried by member 16 obviously it always closes themouth except when it is elevated for mail insertion. When the cover iscarried by back i I it similarly closed the mouth when the box isclosed.

Integral with the lower edge 24 of the front I9 and suitably secured tosides H8 at the lower edges 22 thereof is the box bottom 25 which isdirected upwardly and rearwardly and if desired 2 may at its rear edgehave upwardly directed portion 26 although this may be omitted whendesired.

An intermediate rear cross member and mail retainer 27 is suitablysecured to the sides I8. The back may include, opposite the hinges 28,flanges 29 spaced as at 39 to accommodate member 21 when the box isclosed. Said flanges then nest in the box.

A suitable latch 3| may be carried by the back and operativelyassociated with a catch, herein shown as an indent 32 in the unhingedside [8. When the box is closed and is to be opened for mail removal,the lower end is grasped and moved while the box projecting portion ofthe latch is forced inwardly for catch-latch release. When the box is tobe closed the forward part is swung rearwardly until the latch is catchassociated.

Also shown herein, the lower forward portion of bottom 25 may beapertured as at 25a for drainage, etc.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that mail deposited in the box andthrough the mouth aforesaid will fall down and engage inclined bottom 25and thus settle to the lowest possible position and be inclined upwardlyand rearwardly.

When the box is opened the contents tend to further tilt rearwardly anddownwardly but are restrained by cross-member 21. Thus the upper ends ofthe box deposited mail are held in projected relation, when the box isopened, for ready access for removal. If a letter is then replaced inthe box when same is closed, the upper edge of such letter will engagethe back and travel upwardly along same until the box is fully closed.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detailin the drawings and foregoing description. the same is to be consideredas illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein, as well as others which willreadily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all areconsidered to be within the broad scope of the invention, referencebeing had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A mail box including a back member and an open box member side hingedtogether, the back of the box member being open and closable by the backmember and the box member having a mail receiving upper open mouth, acover hingedly connected to one of the said members and adapted to closethe mouth when the box is closed, the box member being of closed bottomtype, and means connected at opposite ends to the REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 482,292 Brown Sept. 6, 1892

